The Workers Union of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has threatened to halt work at the Tema Port if government and stakeholders do not immediately review the contract of Meridian Ports and Services (MPS).
Emmanuel Neequaye, GPHA Union Chairman, disclosed this during an open forum at a day’s symposium organized by the Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) which preceded the celebration of this year’s May Day.
Mr Neequaye said the Tema Port was in jeopardy because Ghanaian stevedoring companies were folding up.
“In some few years, Ghana and Ghanaians will not own the Port of Tema again. MPS will gradually take over its operations from the GPHA,” he stated.
He, therefore, called on the Trades Union Congress of Ghana (TUC) and other stakeholders to impress on government to review the contract establishing the MPS.
He revealed that the union, over the years, has been dialoguing with the relevant authorities but was yet to see any positive result.
“We have given ourselves sometime and will go on the streets. We will hit the streets and don’t be surprised to hear that activities at the Port have been grounded,” he stressed.
Meridian Ports and Services was established in 2002 as a joint venture between the GPHA and the Meridian Port Holdings Limited, which comprised Bollore Group and APM Terminals.
It currently handles 60 percent of stevedoring works, shore handling, storage and delivery of containers.
The remaining 40 percent is handled by GPHA and other local stevedoring companies.
–GNA